Ehud Pétain & Amir Chamberlain must resign.

There are three types of deterrence that operate in the Israeli/Arab/Palestinian war. The first kind of deterrence is from the power of the media---especially the left-wing antisemites, delusional, self-hating Jews, and the ignorant hypocrites. In fact, Olmert and his crew are scared to death of dealing with the ongoing rocket attacks and other terror because they know that the media will always blame Israel. The sad thing about this government fear is that the media will automatically blame Israel no matter what-----as shown by the inaccurate reporting of the Gaza beach killings and the reports of so-called massacres in Jenin without investigating the situation. Second, the deterrence of the UN, the EU, and the NGO's also frighten Olmert and the Israeli government. Actually, there are no self-defence measures that Israel is allowed to take that the international community approves of. Any attempt that Israel makes to defend itself, whether violent or non-violent is instantly condemned by an automatic majority in the UN and the countries of Western Europe. Lastly, the overwhelming Israeli dependence on their only friend, the US. acts a major deterrent to effectively dealing with Palestinian terrorism. The US is a great friend of Israel but that doesn't mean that it is always right in regards to Israeli security needs. The US is dependent on oil and needs the support of the less openly hostile Muslim countries and sometimes has to stop Israel from really dealing with Palestinian/Islamic terrorism. These three factors have eroded the deterrence of a strong IDF and the Palestinians/Islamists know it.

One visit is supportive, but not enough.

Bibi you are right about taking off the gloves and establishing a real detterance by using Israel's full force against the terrorists. May G-d Bless and protect Gilad, the IDF and All of Am ISRAEL. Stay strong BIBI and continue to push for real solutions for Israel.

i don't agree with everything that be has done , or said or stood for inthe not too far past ,but one thing is certain-- the arabs knew;/know that he would not yield or capitulate , as he has a major score to settle with them.... i wish bibi was at least the defense minister instead of peretz, the safam.

is a shomok ,his only trouble

of the fact that military power and the political realism that backs it up is being eroded away by guerilla warfare. The urge to quell the thirst for Primacy by the Palestinians can not be satisfied by having BIG GUNS. ...and they enjoy contact and hand-to-hand combat. The wider deterence is in their belligerent way of life. Establishing free trade options and areas with lebanon, Jordan, egypt with an entry point for a neighbourly PA, should they want to set up a state of worth and not a bandido zone. THIS will bring out the good neighbours and make the "resistance" committees increasingly unpopular. Show them the money. But dont give them a grush until they meet their side of the bargain. Let their traders, builders, auditors & accountants be their leaders. cause THEM to deter their own belligerent elements. However, in this instance its maybe too late to implement and maybe it is too late in this phase of the wider conflict. That I cannot answer. All I hope is that Gilad Shalit is returned unscathed to his family and friends.

B"H Bibi. That is great and bold talk. But Gaza is a drop in the bucket compared to the territory east of Olmert's fence. Why get so preoccupied with it? A single soldier kidnapping is the drop of the drop in deterrence of the abandoning of Gaza, yet a ten times greater abandonment is slated on the Kadima platform, taking Jews out of the territory East of Olmert's fence. You clearly have seen how the disengagement was the precursor to this set of affairs. Why is it so cloudy that this set of affairs is just a warning for the next set of affairs if Jews are actively removed East of Olmert's fence? The situations are not even equivalent, with a prior credit established by the Government of Israel not paying those ripped up, and Gaza being about ten percent the population, but already concentrated in camps before the previous uprooting. What I am getting it is that I see no end strategy, so long as population centers vote in powers that do not take Jewish responsibility over the areas east or south of Olmert's fence. The "palestinian state" is a non-starter because its very name reflects the scenario that the state is not localized, but is a state administered outside of the territory of Israel. You know the history of that name, that the Romans established Palestine to resemble Phylistine, the concept that those on the land would be ruled by their enemies! It is not an entity that grows food for the local population but rather it is a partner against the local population, this concept of "palestinian state", and this is regardless of religion, it acts from the outside to undermine Jews and the State of Israel as a Jewish State. I say as a Jewish state because the "Hamas" state is not a state at all, but rather a subsidiary of Syrian Hamas which is a subsidiary of the dictator government of Syria. I am seeing Olmert's uprooting of Jews at risk here, and I cannot understand why this 10% distraction is enabling a plan that is greater than 10 times in its impact. Why line up the tanks by Gaza? Is it going to solve the greater problem by getting upset over a specific incident? Israel through Olmert is talking about giving up on portions of the land and this is much greater drop of deterrence than the abduction of a soldier. Because the land is like man. Allowing for the abduction of it is like allowing for the abduction of a solder in terms of its impact on Israel's deterrant capability. Israel is just receiving a warning. Why can it not be interpreted properly so that the uprooting can be cancelled? Legalize a villiage of Jews east of Olmert's fence, with Peretz signing the legalization as an act of REVENGE. THAT is deterrence with an end strategy. A line of tanks comes and goes, but a generation of Jews constantly guards the land and is a resolution that builds and makes the locality flourish! Why is common sense so unpopular, that Peretz cannot sign the form allowing for the final legalization steps on buildings established by Jews to prevent this sort of kidnapping issue?

Didn't he see the election results?????????????

B"H These recent kidnappings do not bode well in terms of Iran's progress on its nuclear weapon program. The Arabs are feeling emboldened and the natural question is why. They are communicating something here. Arabs are not shy with sign language. I am not sure if American intelligence is picking up on the signals or not. But surely Iran and Syria are closely coupled. When the Syrian leader has smiles with the Egyptian leader in meetings, I cannot believe that their primary concern is the "Palestinain" people or even the Arabs living there. We should very seriously pray to G-d that the United States and Israel are successful in this war on terror and that they are not misled or distracted by the "negotiations" and twisted words of the joint enemies.

BIBI...WHERE ARE YOU...????MUST BE VERY HARD FOR YOU TO SEE HOW BAD THE SECURITY OF ISRAEL IS..WE NEED YOU SO BADLY....I CANNOT WAIT FOR YOUR COMEBACK TO THE LEADERSHIP....BUT BE PATIENT OLMERT AND HIS CLICK WOULD VANISH VERY FAST...THE WRITING IS ON WALL....BIBI...BE READY....WE LOVE YOU....AND WITH GOD HELP...YOU WILL BE BACK IN BIG TIME.....GOD BLESSE YOU...HAZAK...DANIEL RIMOKH

Abraham Lincoln said it best, "The world will little note nor long remember..." And when it comes to Jews, the world has always had amnesia! So you take care of business and let the UN, the third world, and the EU chubda n drert!

Much better than the failed and inexperienced statesman and slicky politician who is now running our country, Bibi has faults but he is clearly the lesser evil, I am whole with the vote I gave him last elections, and people are now started to see why I did it.

and put the current regime in jail.Put fatboy there too.

...and you were in power Bibi, you yourself 'appeased' and withdrew from large chunks of the territories and all your tough guy words came to nothing. You want to see the wonderful pictures of you shaking hands with Arafat - Mr. "Hard Guy"? No one believes you. No one wants you. You are a zero

Israeli government must immediately get back ONE precious commodity it has lost: Benjamin Netanyahu, THE REAL precious commodity

Bibi understands, unlike most Israeli leaders, (and population) what this conflict is all about. He sees the problem for what it is. The reality is stark. The Arabs have never, and do not now, want Jews in their midst. Is this so surprising to anyone. Their words AND their deeds prove nothing less. In fact, much of the world believes the same. Jews are not wanted anywhere, not in Russia, nor Poland, nor England, nor Canada. Even in the USA, sympathies for Israel are mixed. The Evangelical Christians want a strong Israel, but Jews (US) don't want the Christians. Ironic isn't it? Bibi lived in American. He has no delusions about Israel. A weak Israel (perceived) or real, will just inspire more terror and terrorists. Why not, I ask? What have they to lose? Time is on the Arab side. Beilin is wrong...this is not about 10%, it's about Israel. First were the stones, then the suicide bombers, and now the Kassams and Katys...what next, nukes?

Mr.Netanyahu! The time has come to put political correctness aside, and give the arabs what they deserve. Hit them hard, hit them so hard, that they will never have the chance to rise up from their scum existence. Don't waist your energie on negotiations, arabs wants to see Israel wiped out completely , and they will never give up unless you confront them with massive hits. Hit them hard!!!

There is no question that the 'threats' from the regime are a laughingstock. Israel is now ruled by emasculated, apologetic and whiny leaders. One needn't be a hardened terrorist to see these pathetic 'threats' for what they are - empty rhetoric and gestures to mollify the public. Until one of their loved ones are kidnapped or murdered, they will only offer platitudes. International approval via appeasement are their main concerns. In addition, since this regime's legitmacy rests on the implementation of 'convergence', they will do NOTHING that will prove the errors of this massive schemes. When the mortars start exploding over Dizengoff and other coastal cities, then they will move their behinds into some action.

b"h HE FAILED US IN HEBRON. HE FAILED US IN GUSH KATIF HE MAY TALK TOUGH, BUT WHEN IT COMES TO TAKING ACTION HE IS A JELLY FISH. SORRY, BUT HE IS NOT THE ONE TO LEAD US.

I couldn't agree with you more. This is the unfortunate truth.

Everyone says now how great Bibi is but when it was elections they voted Bibi and the Likud out of the door. Will we ever learn? I doubt it...

A precious commodity/Netanyahu. Great title! The Adler and Co. crowd will certainly love it. Well done Ynet. Your captions are once again, super.

people now think that they made a mistake. If Olmert doesn't act soon he can kiss goodbye to his job. The crazy thing is that he's a moderate and the Palestinians are bringing about his downfall. The new party 'Likud Our Home' will win a majority and the shit will hit the fan - the Palestinians being the fan that is - if Olmert doesn't soon get his act together. Olmert is not a fool however and he will get them message sooner or later. Hopefully sooner ..

I am not well informed on Isreali inner political workings but I remember bibi from the first Gulf war, sitting watching scuds fall in Isreal. I htought then, Damn...why dont they just send in the Moussaad and take Saddam out, I wonder now the same thing, no one has better human intelligence in the region than Isreal. Why not wipe out all the Ham-ASS leaders in Palestine and Syria? I know this would bring condemnation from the rest of the world but hell, its not like they are jumping on the save Isreal bandwagon anyway? Just my opinion, not to mention this would be the best time to hit them when their attentions are split between Iraq, Afganistan and Palistine.

#20 SAY'S IT ALL

Give me a break!

Israel needs a new political system. The Political system in Israel is reminiscent of the the Party machines in New York in the 1920s. It produced corruption, no accountability and polticians who knew little but knew the right person. the knesset needs direct elections ,as well as the prime Minister. It also needs a form of Checks and Balances. let our Polticians be subject to the people of Israel not the International Community. Whose policy is for Israel" to take the slap on the face and turn the other cheek". when we have a quality system we will get a quality leader. Until then the rhetoric is nice but the action is to be seen?

I agree, new leadership is needed in both Israel and the United States. But please do not let Benjamin Netanyahu be your spokesman. He never met a dead Palestinian he didn't like...